Damascus residents remain 'sceptical' on US strikes

FRANCE 24 reports from the heart of the Syrian capital Damascus, where residents remain sceptical about international intervention in the country's two-and-a-half-year civil war and life still retains some semblance of normality.

As the international community wrangles over whether to launch military strikes against Syria, life carries on almost as normal for many of the city's residents.

FRANCE 24 is one of the few news organisations still in the Syrian capital. Our reporters, under close supervision by regime officials, spoke to locals going about their daily lives despite the imminent threat of foreign intervention.

The residents FRANCE 24 spoke to all appeared to be supporters of President Bashar al-Assad and stated firmly their scepticism that strikes by the international community would happen any time soon.

One seemingly relaxed resident in a sunny Damascus park told FRANCE 24 that it was “impossible that it would happen here.”

“They're just trying to pressure the government,” said one local in the city’s south-western Jaramana district. “If they attack it will affect the United States, Israel and all the countries in the region.”

"Of course we're scared," another resident told FRANCE 24. "With thanks to Allah, I hope they won't attack. But what can we do? If they want to strike us, it'll be the third world war."

For others, the daily struggle to get by overshadowed any concerns of international intervention.

“There's no electricity, it gets cut twice a day, and everything's expensive nowadays,” one resident said. “I can't support my family. Our rent is 10,000 Syrian pounds [around 66 euros] and at any moment my landlord could throw me out. He calls me every day to tell me he wants his money. We don't even have enough to eat and drink.”